U.S. Navy cruiser receives Aegis upgrade

WASHINGTON, April 2 (UPI) -- BAE Systems has completed a baseline 9 Aegis combat systems upgrade for the U.S. Navy cruiser USS Chancellorsville.

The upgrades, part of the Navy's Cruiser Modernization program, include an overall Aegis Weapon System upgrade coupled with an improved cooperative engagement capability, an AN/SPQ-9B integrated for anti-missile defense, AN/SQQ-89A(V)15 upgrades and a gun weapon system upgrade that includes installation of two 5"/62-caliber gun mounts, the Electro-Optical Sighting System and the MK 160 Fire Control System, the Navy said.

"With its newly enhanced air defense capability, USS Chancellorsville will be one of the most powerful warships operating in the fleet today," said Capt. Ted Zobel, program manager for the Cruiser Modernization program in Naval Sea Systems Command's Surface Warfare Directorate.

"The team supporting this combat systems modernization is returning a more capable ship to the fleet, enhancing the Navy's ability to meet mission requirements."

The cruiser is beginning combat system ship qualification trials this month and is expected to rejoin the fleet in June 2014.